"HONORARY CONSUL" LICENSE PLATES - H.B. 4458 (S-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS
House Bill 4458 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
Sponsor: Representative John Pappageorge
House Committee: Transportation
Senate Committee: Transportation and Tourism
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to permit a person who was designated an honorary consul by a diplomatic corps of a nation other than the United States that was recognized by the U.S. government and who was assigned or stationed in Michigan, to apply to the Secretary of State for a set of two special registration plates. Each special registration plate would have to have the words "honorary consul" inscribed on it.
Application for the set of two special registration plates would have to be on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State, and be accompanied by proof that the applicant was designated as an honorary consul. The application also would have to be accompanied by payment of a $35 consulate identification fee, which would have to be deposited in the State Treasury and credited to the Michigan Transportation Fund. The fee would have to be used first to defray the expenses of the Secretary of State in issuing these plates.
Upon proper application and payment of the consulate identification fee, the Secretary of State would have to issue a set of two special registration plates for each applicant for use on a passenger vehicle. The person issued the plates would have to be assessed the applicable tax under the Code's provisions on vehicle registration fees. The special registration plates would expire on the vehicle owner's birthday.
The use of a special registration plate on a vehicle other than the vehicle for which the plate was issued, or by a person who did not qualify under the bill, would be a misdemeanor.
The bill specifies that the issuance of a set of two special registration plates to an applicant would not confer diplomatic status or diplomatic immunity on the applicant.
The bill would take effect October 1, 2000.
Proposed MCL 257.803q - Legislative Analyst: L. Arasim
FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact of this bill is indeterminate. The generated revenue under this bill would depend on the number of plates that were purchased.
Date Completed: 5-3-00 - Fiscal Analyst: E. LimbsFloor\hb4458 - Bill Analysis @ http://www.state.mi.us/sfa
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.